Thomas Sweswe has shared his thoughts on Kaizer Chiefs’ looming defensive conundrum with the impending return of the highly-rated duo of Rushwin Dortley and Given Msimango from injury.
The duo has been sidelined since the start of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, with Dortley nearing the final stage of his recovery from a knee surgery, while Msimango has resumed training with the team and is currently working on regaining full match fitness. That’s, according to co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef.
This development brings both excitement and a challenge for the Soweto giants’ coaches.
With five quality centre-backs – Inácio Miguel, Aden McCarthy, Zitha Kwinika, Msimango, and Dortley – competing for spots, the selection process is bound to be tough.
However, former Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe believes this competition can be a blessing in disguise for the club.
WHAT SWESWE SAID ABOUT DORTLEY AND MSIMANGO’S IMPENDING RETURN
“Honestly, I think it’s a great situation to have five quality defenders competing for spots in the team,” Sweswe told FARPost.
“It’s healthy competition, and it will only push them to be better. Players returning from injury must fight for their place in the team. So the coaches must stick to those who had been defending when the season started. Anyone else will have to fight and earn their place in the team.”
With the demanding schedule of the 2025/26 CAF Confederations Cup and the Betway Premiership, Sweswe notes that the team will need to be smart about managing their energy and rotations. Amakhosi are also set to defend their Nedbank Cup title.
“But I think it’s good to have options. They can try out different combinations and see what works best for the team. But the bottom line is that no player can just walk into the first team after an injury spell.”
Sweswe adds that the team is still in a good time to experiment and find the right blend. He stated, “Having Rushwin and Given Msimango coming back from injury is a boost, but it also means they will have to adapt and see how they fit into the team.
“Miguel, McCarthy, and Zitha have shown their capabilities this season, so it’s a great challenge for all of them to compete and prove themselves.”
Ultimately, the former Zimbabwe international believes the competition will drive the team to success.
“The most important thing is that they are competing for the team, and I think that’s what will drive them to success. They will have to be flexible, work hard, and make sure they are all on the same page,” Sweswe added.
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